VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

On Feb. 5, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the First Saturday Arts Market begins its seventh year with three dozen artists under as many tents, two popular food trucks, two bands and two nonprofits -- all squeezed between furniture stores Wind Water Gallery and Heights Modern Home at 548 W. 19th Street in the popular Heights.

WEATHER UPDATE:  We will be open! HOWEVER - expect a late start while the artists navigate melting/closed roads - we should be open by noon. In the interest of safety I will let the artists that need to leave early too - so tomorrow the market hours will officially be: Noon to 5pm.

First Saturday Arts Market certainly stands out on W. 19th with a 1957 aluminum trailer out front (What's Up Cupcake!), several rainbow-colored umbrellas and the Fusion Taco truck which looks like a race track rescue vehicle that drove through the Pimp Your Ride garage.

Walking in, visitors are greeted by musicians, enormous abstracted paintings, dichroic glass earrings, steampunk jewelry, photography and handmade books. There is an eclectic mix to the offerings found here, like the big abstracts or up-cycled handbags, metal and wood sculpture, handmade soap and olive oil tasting. This is the Heights after all!

A certain vibe is apparent as patrons and vendors laugh and talk and share stories about adventures since they last met while teaching "newbies" the ropes. The market hasn't strayed far from its original mission to give new artists a chance to "get their feet wet." Now, there's a wait for the popular months to get in as the seasoned artists equal new artists in number. That's good news for shoppers and art lovers!

"I don't think this kind of event could have taken hold anywhere else other than the Heights," artist and founder Mitch Cohen says of the market. "Seven years ago, space to show your art on your terms regularly was very limited and competition for wall space was steep. There are many more choices for artists now and the market is one. I'm very proud to be a part of this."

The music at the arts market is as original at the art. Solo artist Rory Jagedeo starts the February show off at 11 a.m. with a mix of originals ranging from country to blues to rock. Featured performer Andrew Karnavas performs at 3 p.m. Karnavas is better known as the front man for Runaway Sun and his acoustic melodies are a blend of straightforward chord progressions and slow fingerpicking that combine elements of blues, country and folk.

Visit with Central City Co-op volunteers to learn more about this 10-year-old (and Houston's first) organic farmers market co-op. Young actors from Theatre Under The Stars production of Billy Elliot may be found milling about around lunchtime, in their tutus and boxing gloves of course!

For more information and a complete roster of participating artists, visit the market's website, www.FirstSaturdayArtsMarket.com  or call713-802-1213. Parking is free and the Heights First Saturday shuttle bus stops at the market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.